EP1491132B1 - Bildverarbeitungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1491132B1
EP1491132B1 EP04014582A EP04014582A EP1491132B1 EP 1491132 B1 EP1491132 B1 EP 1491132B1 EP 04014582 A EP04014582 A EP 04014582A EP 04014582 A EP04014582 A EP 04014582A EP 1491132 B1 EP1491132 B1 EP 1491132B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image
circuit
observation
light
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04014582A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1491132A1 (de
Inventor
Katsuichi Imaizumi
Yoshinori Takahashi
Nobuyuki Doguchi
Takeshi Ozawa
Sakae Takehana
Isami Hirao
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Olympus Corp
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Olympus Corp
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
    • H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00002—Operational features of endoscopes
    • A61B1/00004—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by electronic signal processing
    • A61B1/00009—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by electronic signal processing of image signals during a use of endoscope
    • A61B1/000096—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by electronic signal processing of image signals during a use of endoscope using artificial intelligence
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/043—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances for fluorescence imaging
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/045—Control thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/063—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements for monochromatic or narrow-band illumination
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0638—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements providing two or more wavelengths
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0646—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements with illumination filters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0655—Control therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0661—Endoscope light sources
    • A61B1/0669—Endoscope light sources at proximal end of an endoscope
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/0059—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
    • A61B5/0082—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes
    • A61B5/0084—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • H04N5/775—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/05—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/0059—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
    • A61B5/0071—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence by measuring fluorescence emission

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image processing device enabling observation under a plurality kinds of observation light.
  • Electronic endoscopes are designed to be inserted into body cavities and the like and widely used to observe the alimentary tract including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine or the trachea such as lungs.
  • the electronic endoscope is also adapted to various kinds of treatment or cure that are performed using a treatment instrument passed through a treatment instrument channel.
  • a light source unit For example, in a field-sequential endoscope system, light emanating from a light source unit is passed through an optical filter in order to sequentially irradiate red, green, blue light and the like to an object.
  • a monochrome image pickup device receives the lights reflected from the object.
  • a processor signal processing unit
  • a color image is displayed on a display device.
  • the signal processing to be performed in the processor includes color enhancement that is intended to help discover a lesion.
  • a color is enhanced using an amount of hemoglobin contained in the mucosa of a living body as a criterion. This helps distinguish a normal mucosa from an abnormal mucosa on the basis of a difference in color.
  • Diagnosis is performed by utilizing the fact that the spectral characteristic of self-fluorescent light varies depending on whether a living-body tissue is a normal mucosa or a tumor.
  • An image represented by self-fluorescent light and an image represented by light reflected from a living-body tissue are assigned different colors and displayed on a monitor. Consequently, a lesion can be clearly identified based on a difference in color from a normal region. Fluorescent light is so feeble that a fluorescent light image contains many noises. Many processors to be used for fluorescent light observation therefore include a noise cancellation circuit.
  • narrow-band light observation or narrow-band imaging (NBI)
  • NBI narrow-band imaging
  • a color conversion circuit is therefore incorporated in a processor in order to adjust colors. After the color tone is converted into a color tone more helpful in distinguishing a lesion, the image is displayed on the monitor.
  • infrared observation that is observation under near infrared light is popular.
  • a chemical agent called indocyanine green (ICG) to which near infrared light is absorbed is injected into the vessel. Consequently, the vascular kinetics in a submucous deep region that is not visualized by normal observation can be observed.
  • ICG indocyanine green
  • the facilities for performing the foregoing normal observation, fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, and infrared observation may be implemented in one system by employing a lighting unit capable of switching illumination lights.
  • a conventional electronic endoscope system or a conventional processor must include all necessary image processing facilities dedicated to color enhancement, noise cancellation, color conversion, and others respectively. The scale of circuitry is therefore very large.
  • a programmable logic element is included for each of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) incorporated in endoscopes to be connected.
  • CCDs charge-coupled devices
  • the technology is to automatically configure a logic element when the power supply of an endoscope system is not turned on or when observation is not performed. It is therefore impossible to configure the logic element according to a user's manipulation in the course of examination.
  • the rotating speed of a rotary filter must be changed or the position of the filter must be shifted. Therefore, the colors of an image may be disordered or the brightness of an image becomes unstable.
  • European Patent Application Publication No. 1 258 221 A1 describes an example of the above-mentioned type of endoscope system, which has an image processing means for processing two reflected light image signals and a fluorescence light image signal.
  • the image processing means converts the reflected light image signals and the fluorescence light image signal into signals having three colour components such that luminance and/or hue differs between a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue.
  • United States Patent Application Publication No. 2003/025789 A1 concerns an image processing unit for processing an endoscope image signal.
  • the image processing unit includes a main substrate having a basic processing circuit for performing basic processing operations on the image signal, and an expansion substrate having an expansion processing circuit for further processing the image signal previously subjected to basic processing.
  • the expansion processing circuit on the expansion substrate is connected to the basic processing circuit on the main substrate by a substrate joint connector.
  • United States Patent No. 5,868,666 describes an endoscope apparatus which utilizes field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to form a unit which can be selectively programmed for controlling one or more functions of the endoscope or a peripheral unit.
  • FPGAs field programmable gate arrays
  • United States Patent No. 5,627,583 relates to an apparatus for connection to a plurality of endoscopes for performing signal processing in conformity with a plurality of different signal processing systems.
  • the apparatus comprises a signal processing means having programmable logic elements and forms dedicated processing circuits corresponding to each of the signal processing systems.
  • United States Patent No. 5,408,263 describes an electronic endoscope apparatus having a signal processing means comprising a video signal processing circuit for processing a video signal read from a solid state image sensing device, a drive circuit for providing the solid state image sensing device with drive pulses to perform reading and transfer of the video signals, and a discrimination circuit for changing a signal processing operation in dependence on the type or the operational state of the light source employed.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device capable of implementing a plurality kinds of signal processing despite a small scale of circuitry.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device capable of implementing different kinds of signal processing associated with a plurality kinds of observation light respectively despite a small scale or circuitry.
  • the present invention is an image processing device that performs image processing on a signal which represents an optical image of an object.
  • the image processing device comprises:
  • An object of the present embodiment is to provide an image processing device and an electronic endoscope system which make it possible to perform different kinds of signal processing corresponding to a plurality kinds of observation light (observation modes) using small-scale circuitry and possible to display a view image in the form of a motion picture even during construction of a programmable logic element (construction of a circuit).
  • observation modes observation light
  • small-scale circuitry small-scale circuitry
  • an electronic endoscope system 1 including the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electronic endoscope (hereinafter, an endoscope) 2 that is inserted into a body cavity in order to pick up an image of an object 8 such as a lesion in the body cavity; a light source unit 3 to or from which the endoscope 2 is freely coupled or uncoupled and which generates illumination light for observation; a processor 4 to or from which the endoscope is freely coupled or uncoupled and which performs signal processing or the like on an image signal representing the picked-up image; a monitor 5 which is connected to the processor 4, to which a video signal is transmitted from the processor 4, and on which an image represented by the video signal is displayed; a keyboard 6 connected to the processor 4 and used to enter data or commands; and a footswitch 7.
  • an electronic endoscope hereinafter, an endoscope 2 that is inserted into a body cavity in order to pick up an image of an object 8 such as a lesion in the body cavity
  • a light source unit 3 to or from which the
  • the endoscope 2 comprises: an elongated insertional unit 11 that is inserted into a body cavity; an operating unit 12 disposed at the back end of the insertional unit 11; and a universal cord 13 extending from the operating unit 12.
  • a light guide fiber 14 by which illumination light is transmitted is run through the insertional unit 11 of the endoscope 2.
  • the back side portion of the light guide fiber 14 is passed through the universal cord 13.
  • a light guide connector 15 is attached to the back end of the light guide fiber 14.
  • a user couples the light guide connector 15 freely detachably to the light source unit 3. Illumination light emanating from the light source unit 3 is introduced to the incidence end surface of the light guide connector 15.
  • the illumination light transmitted to the light guide fiber 14 is irradiated from a distal end surface (emission end surface), which is attached to an illumination window formed in the distal section of the insertional unit 11, through an illumination lens 16 to the object 8 in the body cavity.
  • An objective lens 17 is attached to an observation window (image pickup window) adjoining the illumination window.
  • a high-sensitivity solid-state image pickup device, or more particularly, a charge-coupled device (CCD) 18 is disposed at the image-forming position of the objective lens 17.
  • the CCD 18 photoelectrically coverts the picked-up image formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD 18.
  • the CCD 18 can be connected to or disconnected from the processor 4 by a connector formed at an end of a signal line.
  • An excitation light cut filter 19 is disposed in front of the image pickup surface of the CCD 18.
  • the excitation light cut filter 19 cuts out excitation light that is used for fluorescent observation, so that feeble fluorescent light can be introduced into the CCD 18.
  • the operating unit 12 of the endoscope 2 includes a filter selection switch 20 that is used to direct switching of illumination lights to be achieved through switching of filters.
  • a directive signal produced by the filter selection switch 20 is transmitted to a CPU 45.
  • the light source unit 3 comprises: a lamp 21 that is formed with a xenon lamp or the like and that radiates light whose wavelength ranges from the infrared region to the visible region; a band switching filter 22 that is disposed on the path of illumination light emanating from the lamp 21 and that limits transmitted wavelength; a motor 23 used to switch the band switching filter 22; a rotary filter panel 24 including filters that pass light of different wavelength band; a motor 25 used to rotate or drive the rotary filter panel 24; a motor 26 used to move the rotary filter panel 24 in a direction A perpendicular to the illumination optical axis; and a condenser lens 27 that concentrates light transmitted by the rotary filter panel 24 and has the light incident on the end surface of the light guide connector 15.
  • the motor 25 for rotating the rotary filter panel 24 has a rack 28 attached thereto.
  • a pinion 29 that is meshed with the rack 28 is attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 26.
  • a normal light/special light switching switch 31 and a special light selection switch 32 are located at a position on, for example, a front panel of the light source unit 3 at which a user can easily manipulate the switches.
  • the special light signifies any of fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, and infrared observation.
  • the processor 4 is designed such that a video signal will orderly flow into: a preprocessing circuit 34 that performs preprocessing on an image pickup signal received from the CCD 18; an A/D conversion circuit 35; a color balance correction circuit 36; a first simultaneous memory 37; a delay circuit 38 or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) 39 that is programmable constructs a circuit; a selector 40 that selects either of the signals received from the delay circuit 38 and FPGA 39; a gamma correction circuit 41, a structure enhancement circuit 42 that is formed with a spatial filter circuit; a second simultaneous memory 43; and a D/A conversion circuit 44.
  • a preprocessing circuit 34 that performs preprocessing on an image pickup signal received from the CCD 18
  • an A/D conversion circuit 35 a color balance correction circuit 36
  • a first simultaneous memory 37
  • a delay circuit 38 or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) 39 that is programmable constructs a circuit
  • a selector 40 that selects either of
  • the CPU 45 that is responsible for control and the like and incorporated in the processor 4 is electrically connected to external equipment such as the endoscope 2, keyboard 6, footswitch 7, and light source unit 3, and also electrically connected to internal circuits such as a color tone designation switch 33, a load control circuit 46 and the like that are incorporated in the processor 4.
  • the FPGA 39 that programmably constructs a circuit has an internal memory, as well as a gate circuit, that performs logic operations.
  • the FPGA 39 may include lookup tables or an image memory.
  • the load control circuit 46 is connected to be able to designate an address in a data ROM 47 in which data to be loaded into the FPGA 39 is stored.
  • An output terminal of the data ROM 47 is connected to a data load pin in a connector included in the FPGA 39.
  • a total of four circuit data items corresponding to observation modes for normal observation, fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, and infrared observation are stored in the data ROM 47. Selected circuit data is loaded into the FPGA 39, whereby a circuit described by the circuit data is constructed.
  • the keyboard 6 includes, in addition to normal keys, four keys for use in designating normal observation, fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, or infrared observation, that is, a normal observation designation key 6a, a fluorescent observation designation key 6b, a narrow-band light observation designation key 6c, and an infrared observation designation key 6d.
  • the footswitch 7 includes switches 7a and 7b equivalent to the normal light/special light switching switch 31 and special light selection switch 32 disposed in the light source unit 3.
  • the band switching filter 22 includes a normal/fluorescent observation filter 48, an infrared observation filter 49, and a narrow-band light observation filter 50.
  • Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the spectral characteristics of lights transmitted by the filters. Namely, Fig. 4 shows the property of transmittance 48a exhibited by the normal/fluorescent observation filter 48 and the property of transmittance 49a exhibited by the infrared observation filter 49. Fig. 5 shows the properties of transmittance 50a, 50b, and 50c exhibited by the narrow-band light observation filter 50.
  • the property of transmittance 48a of the normal/fluorescent observation filter 48 is such that the normal/fluorescent observation filter 48 transmits light whose wavelength ranges from 400 nm to 660 nm.
  • the property of transmittance of the infrared observation filter 49 is such that the infrared observation filter 49 transmits light whose wavelengths range from 790 nm to 980 nm.
  • the narrow-band light observation filter 50 exhibits three peaks of the properties of transmittance 50a, 50b, and 50c which transmit three respective lights belonging to three discrete wavelength bands. Namely, the narrow-band light observation filter 50 exhibits the properties of transmittance 50a, 50b, and 50c of transmitting respective lights whose wavelengths range from 400 nm to 430 nm, from 530 nm to 560 nm, or from 600 nm to 630 nm.
  • the outer circumference of the rotary filter panel 24 includes, as shown in Fig. 3 , an R filter 51, a G filter 52, and a B filter 53 that transmit respective lights whose wavelengths fall within the red, green, or blue region.
  • the inner circumference of the rotary filter panel 24 includes a G' filter 54 that transmits light whose wavelength ranges from 540 nm to 560 nm, an excitation filter 55 that transmits excitation light whose wavelength ranges from 390 nm to 450 nm, and an R' filter 56 that transmits light whose wavelength ranges from 600 nm to 620 nm.
  • Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the spectral characteristics of lights transmitted by the outer and inner-circumference filters of the rotary filter panel 24. Namely, Fig. 6 shows the properties of transmittance 51a, 52a, and 53a exhibited by the R filter 51, G filter 52, and B filter 53 respectively.
  • the outer-circumference filters 51, 52, and 53 have the properties of partially transmitting light whose wavelength falls within not only the visible region but also the near infrared region.
  • the properties of transmittance 51a and 52a of the R filter 51 and G filter 52 are such that the R filter 51 and G filter 52 transmit light whose wavelength ranges from 750 nm to 820 nm.
  • the property of transmittance 53a of the B filter 53 is such that the B filter 53 transmits light whose wavelength is equal to or larger than 900 nm.
  • the excitation light cut filter 19 exhibits, as shown in Fig. 8 , the property of transmittance 19a of intercepting light whose wavelength is equal to or smaller than 450 nm.
  • the wavelength band transmitted by the excitation light cut filter 19 does not overlap the wavelength band transmitted by the excitation filter 55.
  • the light source unit 3 introduces illumination light, which is associated with a selected one of the plurality kinds of observation modes, to the light guide fiber 14 included in the endoscope 2.
  • a circuit that performs required signal processing on a signal representing an image picked up in the observation mode can be programmably constructed by the FPGA 39. This process is controlled by the CPU 45. Moreover, a control program describing the process is stored in a memory 45a incorporated in, for example, the CPU 45.
  • the FPGA 39 is used in common to construct a color enhancement circuit for, for example, normal observation or infrared observation or to construct a noise cancellation circuit for fluorescent observation.
  • a color enhancement circuit for, for example, normal observation or infrared observation or to construct a noise cancellation circuit for fluorescent observation.
  • the delay circuit 38 is provided in combination to construct a bypass circuit that causes, for example, motion picture data to bypass the FPGA 39 and that thus enables display of a motion picture.
  • the selector 40 can select either a circuit programmably constructed by the FPGA 39 or the bypass circuit.
  • a circuit constructed by the FPGA 39 When construction of a circuit constructed by the FPGA 39 is under way, motion picture data is temporarily routed to the bypass circuit. Consequently, even when construction of a circuit by the FPGA 39 is under way, a motion picture can be displayed. This leads to improved user-friendliness.
  • Light with which an object is illuminated is radiated from the lamp 21 included in the light source unit 3.
  • the light radiated from the lamp 21 passes through the band switching filter 22 and rotary filter panel 24. Thereafter, the light is converged by the condenser lens 27 and introduced into the light guide fiber 14 included in the endoscope 2.
  • the band switching filter 22 is driven to rotate by the motor 23 in response to a filter selection directive signal sent from the CPU 45.
  • the normal/fluorescent observation filter 48 is inserted into the path of illumination light.
  • the narrow-band light observation filter 50 is inserted into the path of illumination light.
  • the infrared observation filter 49 is inserted into the path of illumination light.
  • any of the outer-circumference filters of the rotary filter panel 24 is inserted into the optical axis of illumination light.
  • the rotary filter panel 24 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed by the motor 25, whereby the R filter 51, G filter 52, and B filter 53 are sequentially inserted into a light path.
  • red, green, and blue lights are transmitted during normal observation.
  • Lights whose wavelength ranges from 400 nm to 430 nm, 530 nm to 560 nm, or 600 nm to 630 nm is transmitted during narrow-band light observation.
  • Lights whose wavelength ranges from 790 nm to 820 nm or 900 nm to 980 nm is transmitted during infrared observation.
  • the motor 25 In order to acquire an image formed by feeble fluorescent light with a long exposure period, the motor 25 is rotated at a slower speed during fluorescent observation than in the other observation modes. Moreover, during fluorescent observation, the rotary filter panel 24 is moved in a direction A perpendicular to the path of illumination light by the motor 26 in response to a filter selection directive signal sent from the CPU 45. Consequently, any of the inner-circumference filters is inserted into the path of illumination light.
  • lights whose wavelength ranges from 540 nm to 560 nm, 390 nm to 450, or 600 nm to 620 nm is sequentially emitted from the light source unit 3.
  • the light whose wavelengths range from 390 nm to 450 nm is excitation light for use in exciting self-fluorescence of a living-body tissue.
  • Light incident on the light guide fiber 14 included in the endoscope 2 is irradiated to the object 8 such as the alimentary tract through the illumination window formed in the distal section of the endoscope 2.
  • Light scattered, reflected, or radiated from the object 8 forms an image on the CCD 18 by the objective lens 17 disposed on the observation window formed in the distal section of the endoscope 2, and the image is photoelectrically converted to be picked up.
  • the excitation light cut filter 19 is located in front of the CCD 18, and works to intercept excitation light whose wavelength ranges from 390 nm to 450 nm and to extract fluorescent light.
  • the CCD 18 is driven by a CCD drive circuit, which is not shown, synchronously with the rotation of the rotary filter panel 24. Image signals representing respective illumination lights that have passed through the R filter 51, G filter 52, and B filter 53 of the rotary filter panel 24 are sequentially received by the processor 4.
  • the image signals received by the processor 4 are first received by the preprocessing circuit 34.
  • the preprocessing circuit 34 performs correlation double sampling (CDS) or the like, and the image signals are taken out.
  • CDS correlation double sampling
  • the signals sent from the preprocessing circuit 34 are converted from an analog form into a digital form by the A/D conversion circuit 35.
  • the signals sent from the A/D conversion circuit 35 are received by the color balance correction circuit 36.
  • the color balance correction circuit 36 adjusts the amplification factors for the signals such that when an object image serving as a reference is picked up, the object image will be displayed on the monitor 5 in predetermined colors. Thereafter, the resultant signals are temporarily stored in the first simultaneous memory 37. Image data items sequentially stored in the first simultaneous memory 37 are read simultaneously with one another, whereby the simultaneity of the field-sequential images is performed.
  • the image data resulting from the synchronization is received by the delay circuit 38 and FPGA 39.
  • the delay circuit 38 is formed with a memory and used to match the timing of a received signal with the timing of a signal that passes through the FPGA 39, that is, to delay the received signal by the same time interval as the time interval required for the signal sent to the FPGA 39 to pass through the FPGA 39.
  • the output signal of the delay circuit 38 and that of the FPGA 39 are received by the selector 40.
  • the selector 40 selects either the signal received from the delay circuit 38 or the signal received from the FPGA 39, and changes the simultaneous signal into field-sequential signals.
  • the resultant field-sequential signals are then transmitted to the gamma correction circuit 41.
  • the simultaneous signal is changed to the field-sequential signals so as to reduce the scales of the gamma correction circuit 41 and structure enhancement circuit 42.
  • the selector 40 selects the signal received from the first simultaneous memory 37, the selector 40 time-sequentially reads the components of the signal so as to thus frame-sequence the received signals.
  • the gamma correction circuit 41 performs conversion processing for the purpose of correcting the gamma characteristic of an image to be displayed on the monitor 5. Moreover, the structure enhancement circuit 42 performs signal processing to enhance the contour of an image. Thereafter, the signals having undergone the enhancement are received by the second simultaneous memory 43.
  • the simultaneity of signals is performed again in the second simultaneous memory 43.
  • a resultant signal is converted into an analog form by the D/A conversion circuit 44, and transmitted to the monitor 5.
  • An image picked up by the CCD 18 is then displayed on the display surface of the monitor 5.
  • the keyboard 6 includes the keys 6a to 6D that are associated with normal observation, fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, and infrared observation.
  • a user selects a desired observation mode by directly manipulating any of the keys, whereby an associated directive signal is received by the CPU 45. In response to the directive signal, the CPU 45 switches observation lights.
  • the filter selection switch 20 on the endoscope 2 When the filter selection switch 20 on the endoscope 2 is pressed, every time a user presses the switch 20, the CPU 45 sequentially switches observation lights in the order of normal observation, fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, infrared observation, normal observation, etc.
  • the CPU 45 When the normal light/special light switching switch 31 on the light source unit 3 (or the equivalent switch 7a on the footswitch 7) is pressed, if the mode attained before the switch is pressed is any of the fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, and infrared observation modes, the CPU 45 will change the mode to the normal observation mode.
  • the CPU 45 will change the mode to any of the fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, and infrared observation modes. In this case, to whichever of the fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, and infrared observation modes the normal observation mode is switched can be determined using the special light selection switch 32.
  • the special light selection switch 32 Every time a user presses the special light selection switch 32, three special light observation modes are sequentially switched over in the order of fluorescent observation, narrow-band light observation, infrared observation, fluorescent observation, etc. Thus, the user can select any of the three special light observation modes.
  • the CPU 45 does not switch observation lights.
  • An indicator LED that is not shown informs a user of the fact that the special light observation modes have been changed. If the mode attained before the special light selection switch 32 is pressed is not the normal observation mode, the CPU 45 actually switches observation lights.
  • Fig. 9 describes the details of a process of switching observation lights that are executed by the CPU 45 according to a control method described in a control program stored in the memory 45a.
  • the CPU 45 controls the FPGA 39 to construct a new circuit having a different image processing capability.
  • the CPU 45 While construction of a new circuit is under way, the CPU 45 transmits a tentative image (a monochrome motion picture in the present embodiment). Thus, an image is displayed on the monitor 5 without fail.
  • the CPU 45 transmits an image produced by the constructed new circuit to the display means. Owing to this control process, even when construction of a circuit through the FPGA 39 is under way, an event that no image is displayed can be prevented. A description will be made in conjunction with Fig. 9 below.
  • the CPU 45 When the CPU 45 receives a switching directive entered by a user, the CPU 45 controls the second simultaneous memory 43 to assign the same signal (green color signal) to all the channels for red, green, and blue signals to be transmitted to the monitor 5. Consequently, a monochrome image is transmitted to the monitor (see step S1).
  • the CPU 45 causes the selector 40 to select an image signal received from the delay circuit 38, and prevents an image signal from passing through the FPGA 39. Namely, the CPU 45 selects the image signal having passed through the delay circuit 38.
  • the CPU 45 directs the load control circuit 46 to load data into the FPGA for the purpose of reconfiguring of the FPGA (see step S4), and thus reconfigures the FPGA 39.
  • the load control circuit 46 designates an address in the data ROM 47 associated with observation light, and reads circuit data, which is loaded into the FPGA 39, from the data ROM 47. Consequently, the circuit data read from the data ROM 47 corresponding to the observation light is loaded into the FPGA 39.
  • the CPU 45 judges from the action of the load control circuit 46 whether reconfuguring is completed (step S5). Specifically, the CPU 45 waits until a signal confirming that loading of data is completed is sent from the FPGA 39. Moreover, the CPU 45 waits for completion of switching of filters at step S6. After switching of filters is completed, the CPU 45 causes the selector 40 to select an output of the FPGA 39 at step S7.
  • the CPU 45 may judge from a switching completion signal received from the light source unit 3. Otherwise, the CPU 45 may judge from an output signal of a timer that is set to a time longer than the time required to complete switching of filters.
  • the CPU 45 controls the second simultaneous memory 43 such that a color image will be retransmitted.
  • the bypass circuit that causes a signal to bypass the FPGA 39 into which data is being loaded is included in order to transmit a tentative image through the bypass circuit.
  • a motion picture is displayed for continuous observation.
  • An image resulting from image processing performed by the FPGA 39 cannot be displayed for a short period of time during which an image signal is passing through the bypass circuit. However, during the period, an image whose color tone is not normal is displayed because filters are being switched. Therefore, no particular problem occurs.
  • a motion picture can be seen. Therefore, the movement of the endoscope 2 can be checked even during switching of filters. User-friendliness is ensured. Moreover, by using a monochrome image during switching of filters, a disorder in the color tone of an image caused by the switching of filters can be made indiscernible.
  • Fig. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a color enhancement circuit 60 constructed in the FPGA 39 during normal observation or infrared observation.
  • an amount-of-pigment calculation circuit 61 included in the color enhancement circuit 60 calculates an amount of pigment.
  • the amount-of-pigment calculation circuit 61 calculates an amount of hemoglobin from each pixel value during normal observation, or calculates an amount of ICG from each pixel value during infrared observation.
  • IHb log R / G
  • IIcg log B / R
  • the amount-of-pigment calculation circuit 61 not only calculates the amount of pigment (amount of hemoglobin or ICG) from each pixel value but also calculates an average amount of pigment (an average of amounts of pigments) from the values of pixels constituting one image frame.
  • the amounts of pigment and the average amount of pigment calculated by the amount-of-pigment calculation circuit 61 are received by an enhancement coefficient calculation circuit 62.
  • the enhancement coefficient calculation circuit 62 calculates an enhancement coefficient on the basis of a difference between each amount of pigment and the average amount of pigment.
  • IIcg is substituted for IHb in the above expression.
  • Ave(IHb) in the above expression denotes an average of amounts of hemoglobin calculated from the values of the respective pixels constituting one image frame.
  • a difference between an amount of pigment calculated from each pixel value and the average of amounts of pigment calculated from the values of the respective pixels constituting one frame is calculated. Consequently, even an image whose color distribution is distorted can be enhanced effectively.
  • the signal Rin, Gin, or Bin serving as an input image signal is delayed by a delay circuit 63a, 63b, or 63c. Thereafter, the signal is received by a lookup table (LUT) 64a, 64b, or 64c.
  • LUT lookup table
  • the image signal having the timing thereof adjusted while passing through the delay circuit 63a, 63b, or 63c, the enhancement coefficient ⁇ , and a color tone designation level specified by the CPU 45 are respectively received by the lookup table 64a, 64b, or 64c. Consequently, color enhancement is performed on each pixel on the basis of the received data and an amount of pigment.
  • Rin, Gin, or Bin denotes an input image signal of red, green, or blue respectively.
  • Rout, Gout, or Bout denotes an output image signal of red, green, or blue respectively.
  • kR, kG, or kB denotes a coefficient which is determined with the absorbency of pigment into each color and whose value varies depending on whether an amount of hemoglobin is calculated or an amount of ICG is calculated.
  • h denotes a coefficient indicating the degree of enhancement.
  • the h value is determined by means of the CPU 45 according to a designation level entered using the color tone designation switch 33.
  • the circuitry is the same irrespective of whether normal observation or infrared observation is performed.
  • the absorbency of pigment is different from light to light. Therefore, the data items of the lookup tables cannot be used in common between normal observation and infrared observation.
  • the FPGA 39 is reconfigured in order to construct required lookup tables 64a, 64b, and 64c. Therefore, the scale of circuitry can be minimized. Moreover, since the lookup tables 64a, 64b, and 64c are incorporated in the FPGA 39, compared with a ROM is disposed outside, fast access is enabled.
  • Fig. 11 shows an example of the configuration of a noise cancellation circuit 70 constructed in the FPGA 39 during fluorescent observation.
  • the noise cancellation circuit 70 includes a 3 ⁇ 3 median filter. Owing to delay circuits 71 (more particularly, 71a to 71f) for delaying a signal by a time equivalent to the cycle of one clock and owing to line memories 72 (more particularly, 72a and 72b) for delaying a signal by a time, which is required to treat pixels constituting almost one line, the values of nine pixels around a pixel concerned are received by a median selection circuit 73.
  • an input image signal Rin is received by the median selection circuit 73 as it is. Moreover, the signal Rin is delayed by a time required to treat one pixel by the delay circuit 71a, and then received by the median selection circuit 73. The signal delayed by the time required to treat one pixel is further delayed by the time required to treat one pixel by the delay circuit 71b, and received by the median selection circuit 73.
  • the input signal Rin is delayed by the time required to treat pixels constituting almost one line by the line memory 72a, and then received by the median selection circuit 73.
  • the signal is further delayed by the time required to treat one pixel, and a time required to treat two pixels by the delay circuits 71a and 71b respectively, and then received by the median selection circuit 73.
  • the signal delayed by the time required to treat pixels constituting almost one line by the line memory 72a is delayed by the time required to treat pixels constituting almost one line by the line memory 72b, and then received by the median selection circuit 73. Moreover, the signal is delayed by the time required to treat one pixel, and the time required to treat two pixels by the delay circuits 71a and 71b respectively, and then received by the median selection circuit 73.
  • the median selection circuit 73 selects a pixel whose value is a median of the values of nine neighboring pixels, and transmits it.
  • Fig. 11 shows only the circuit elements that treat the red signal. The same applies to the green and blue signals.
  • Fig. 12 shows the configuration of a color conversion circuit 80 constructed in the FPGA 39 during narrow-band light observation.
  • an input image signal Rin, Gin, or Bin passes through a lookup table 81a, 81b, or 81c, and undergoes an arithmetic operation performed by a matrix circuit 82.
  • the resultant signal is then transmitted via a lookup table 83a, 83b, or 83c.
  • a, b, and c denote coefficients and a plurality of sets of values of coefficients are stored in a memory that is not shown. Any of the sets of values is selected based on a color tone designation level entered using the color tone designation switch 33 by means of the CPU 45.
  • the color tone designation switch 33 is used to designate a color enhancement level for normal observation or infrared observation and also used to select the values of the coefficients that are employed in the arithmetic operation performed by the matrix circuit during narrow-band light observation.
  • the designated levels are stored in the CPU 45 in association with the respective observation modes. When observation modes are switched, a stored level is designated accordingly.
  • the lookup tables 81 and 83 are used for adjustment or used to compress or convert colors, which are not supported by the monitor 5, into colors that can be displayed.
  • the FPGA 39 is employed. Any other programmable logic device (PLD) will do.
  • PLD programmable logic device
  • observation lights to be switched are not limited to self-fluorescent light, narrow-band light, and infrared light.
  • fluorescent light caused by a chemical agent that can be administered to a human body or light having undergone the Raman effect will do.
  • the present invention is not limited to the field-sequential type endoscope system 1, but may be adapted to a simultaneous type endoscope system.
  • the degree of color enhancement to be performed during normal observation or infrared observation may be adjusted based on the magnitude of a feature of an image.
  • the FPGA 39, load control circuit 46, and data ROM 47 may be mounted on an independent substrate other than a substrate on which the other circuit elements are mounted.
  • the substrate may be able to be inserted into or pulled out of the processor 4 (or may be attachable to or detachable from the processor 4), whereby a facility for performing image processing such as color conversion can be provided for a user as an extension facility of the processor 4.
  • a user can assign various facilities to the switches disposed on the endoscope 2 or footswitch 7.
  • the present embodiment provides advantages described below.
  • a programmable logic element is reconfigured during switching of filters along with switching of observation lights. Different kinds of signal processing associated with a plurality kinds of observation lights can be achieved despite a small scale of circuitry.
  • a signal is transmitted via a bypass circuit that causes the signal to bypass the logic element. Consequently, even when configuring of the programmable logic element is under way, a view image can be seen in the form of a motion picture.
  • An object of the present embodiment is to provide an image processing unit that can perform different kinds of signal processing associated with a plurality kinds of observation lights despite a small scale of circuitry and that enables display of a view image in the form of a still image even during configuring of a programmable logic element.
  • the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the first embodiment.
  • the control programs stored in the memory 45a of the CPU 45 are different from those employed in the first embodiment. According to the present embodiment, as described below, while a circuit is constructed using the FPGA 39 or when observation lights are switched, the CPU 45 extends control so as to display a still image.
  • the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a point of switching of observation lights.
  • Fig. 13 describes control actions to be performed by the CPU 45 for the purpose of switching of observation lights.
  • the CPU 45 controls the second simultaneous memory 43 at step S11 so as to inhibit writing of data in the second simultaneous memory 43.
  • image data written immediately before writing is inhibited is repeatedly read out, that is, a frozen still image is transmitted.
  • the CPU 45 transmits a filter selection directive signal to each of the motor 23 and motor 26 so as to switch to predetermined observation light.
  • step S13 the CPU 45 directs the load control circuit 46 to reconfigure the FPGA.
  • the FPGA 39 is reconfigured.
  • the load control circuit 46 designates an address in the data ROM 46 associated with the observation light, and reads circuit data that is to be loaded into the FPGA 39. Consequently, the circuit data associated with the observation light and read from the data ROM 47 is loaded into the FPGA.
  • the CPU 45 judges from a load completion signal received from the load control circuit 46 whether reconfiguring has been completed.
  • step S15 After the CPU 45 receives the load completion signal, the CPU 45 judges at step S15 whether switching of filters has been completed. After switching of filters is completed, the CPU 45 controls the second simultaneous memory 43 to cease the freeze mode. Thus, a motion picture is retransmitted (step S16).
  • an image is frozen during loading of data into the FPGA 39. Consequently, even during configuring of the FPGA 39, a color still image can be viewed for observation. A disorder in an image deriving from switching of filters does not occur.
  • the present embodiment provides advantages described below.
  • a programmable logic element is reconfigured during switching of filters along with switching of observation lights. Different kinds of signal processing associated with the plurality kinds of observation lights respectively can be achieved despite a small scale of circuitry.
  • an image is frozen in a stage that is located closer to an output stage than to the logic element. Consequently, even during reconfiguring of the programmable logic element, a still image devoid of a disorder can be viewed for observation.

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Claims (10)

  1. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) zum Ausführen einer Bildverarbeitung eines von einem Endoskop (2) ausgegebenen Bildsignals, aufweisend:
    ein programmierbares Schaltungsmittel (39), das auf Basis der gewählten Schaltungsdaten neu programmiert wird, um eine Schaltung aufzubauen, die eine Signalverarbeitung des Bildsignals ausführt;
    ein Haltemittel (47) für die Schaltungsdaten, um eine Mehrzahl Arten von Schaltungsdaten (47a, 47b, 47c, 47d) zu halten; und
    ein Steuermittel (45), das in der Weise steuert, dass eine erste Schaltung programmierbar aufgebaut wird, indem auf Basis eines Befehlssignals, das ein Umschalten anweist, erste Schaltungsdaten aus den im Haltemittel (47) für die Schaltungsdaten gehaltenen Schaltungsdaten gewählt werden, die verschieden von zweiten in einer zweiten Schaltung verwendeten Schaltungsdaten sind,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    ein vorläufiges Bild ausgegeben wird, wenn die Schaltung vom programmierbaren Schaltungsmittel (39) neu aufgebaut wird, wobei das vorläufige Bild ein Standbild ist, das von der zweiten Schaltung erzeugt und dann gespeichert wird, oder das erzeugt wird, indem das Bildsignal veranlasst wird, das programmierbare Schaltungsmittel (39) zu umgehen, oder ein monochromes Bild des Objekts ist.
  2. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Steuermittel (45) das zu einem Objekt gelieferte Beleuchtungslicht auf Basis des Befehlssignals, das Umschalten anweist, auf dasjenige ändert, das dem Beobachtungsmodus entspricht.
  3. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es ferner ein Mittel (3) zur Lieferung von Beleuchtungslicht aufweist, um das zu einem Objekt gelieferte Beleuchtungslicht zu erzeugen, wobei das Mittel (3) zur Lieferung von Beleuchtungslicht selektiv eine Mehrzahl Beleuchtungslichtarten liefert, deren Wellenlängen in verschiedenen Bereichen des elektromagnetischen Spektrums liegen.
  4. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das programmierbare Schaltungsmittel (39) von einer feldprogrammierbaren Gatteranordnung oder einem programmierbaren Logikbaustein verwirklicht ist.
  5. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es ferner aufweist:
    ein zweites Schaltungsmittel, das eine Signalverarbeitung des Bildes ausführt; und ein Bildauswahlmittel (40), das ein erstes Bild auf Basis des vom programmierbaren Schaltungsmittel verarbeiteten Bildsignals oder ein zweites Bild auf Basis des vom zweiten Schaltungsmittel verarbeiteten Bildsignals wählt und ausgibt,
    wobei das Steuermittel (45) das Bildauswahlmittel (40) so steuert, dass es das zweite Bild auf Basis des vom zweiten Schaltungsmittel verarbeiteten Bildsignals als das vorläufige Bild wählt.
  6. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das vorläufige Bild, das durch Umgehen des programmierbaren Schaltungsmittels (39) durch ein Umgehungsmittel, das eine Zeit verzögernde Funktion entsprechend einer im programmierbaren Schaltungsmittel (39) verursachten Verzögerungszeit hat, erzeugt wird.
  7. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Steuermittel in der Weise steuert, dass die Schaltung neu aufgebaut wird, wenn das Beleuchtungslicht umgeschaltet wird.
  8. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zweite Schaltungsmittel ein Standbild erzeugt.
  9. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das programmierbare Schaltungsmittel (39) als eine Schaltung dient, die speziell zur Farbverstärkung oder Rauschbeseitigung dient.
  10. Bildverarbeitungsgerät (4) nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Beleuchtungslicht entsprechend dem Beobachtungsmodus mindestens Anregungslicht, das zur Fluoreszenzbeobachtung erforderlich ist, Infrarotlicht oder Schmalbandlicht zusätzlich zum Beleuchtungslicht für die normale Beobachtung enthält.
EP04014582A 2003-06-27 2004-06-22 Bildverarbeitungsvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP1491132B1 (de)

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US7479990B2 (en) 2009-01-20
DE602004022358D1 (de) 2009-09-17
CN1578471A (zh) 2005-02-09
EP1491132A1 (de) 2004-12-29

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